Drovandi Aaron, Finn Gabrielle M
Division of Medical Education, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Br Dent J. 2025 Sep;239(6):393-401. doi: 10.1038/s41415-025-8811-3. Epub 2025 Sep 26.
Background Sexual misconduct in dentistry includes inappropriate behaviours from patients or staff, such as unwanted advances, comments, gestures, or physical contact. This review aimed to explore the literature for the prevalence, causes, impacts and interventions of sexual misconduct in dentistry, to identify gaps and inform policy development and future research.Methods A systematic search of the academic literature was conducted to identify eligible articles published between 1 January 2010 and 31 October 2024. Eligible articles were those of any study design that captured and reported on data relating to sexual misconduct in dental care settings and were available in the English language. Quantitative data were summarised narratively and key findings grouped according to the common themes identified.Results A total of 2,238 articles were screened, with 23 peer-reviewed articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed a limited global representation and general restriction to sexual misconduct prevalence data, with no studies reporting on the implementation or effectiveness of interventions targeting sexual misconduct behaviours. Prevalence data were broad (5-86%), with underreporting of incidences also highlighted and witnessing sexual misconduct also common (25-40% within studies). Contributing factors to sexual misconduct included power hierarchies, informal settings involving alcohol, poor reporting mechanisms and fear of retaliation. Male dentists and patients were overrepresented as perpetrators. Victims experienced emotional trauma, professional disengagement and reluctance to report. Recommendations from studies emphasised training, robust policies, supportive environments, restorative justice and balanced media representation.Conclusion Systemic change is urgently needed to address sexual misconduct in dentistry. Limited UK-based research indicates the need to prioritise qualitative insights and intervention effectiveness to create safer, equitable dental workplaces.
背景
牙科领域的不当性行为包括患者或工作人员的不当行为，如不必要的主动行为、言语、手势或身体接触。本综述旨在探讨有关牙科不当性行为的患病率、原因、影响及干预措施的文献，以找出差距并为政策制定和未来研究提供参考。
方法
对学术文献进行系统检索，以确定2010年1月1日至2024年10月31日期间发表的符合条件的文章。符合条件的文章是任何研究设计的文章，这些文章收集并报告了与牙科护理环境中不当性行为相关的数据，且为英文版本。定量数据以叙述方式进行总结，并根据确定的共同主题对主要发现进行分组。
结果
共筛选了2238篇文章，其中23篇经过同行评审的文章符合纳入标准。研究结果显示，全球范围内关于不当性行为患病率数据的代表性有限且普遍受限，没有研究报告针对不当性行为的干预措施的实施情况或有效性。患病率数据范围广泛（5%-86%），同时也强调了事件报告不足的问题，目睹不当性行为的情况也很常见（在研究中占25%-40%）。不当性行为的促成因素包括权力等级制度、涉及酒精的非正式场合、不良的报告机制以及对报复的恐惧。男性牙医和患者作为行为者的比例过高。受害者经历了情感创伤、职业倦怠以及不愿报告。研究提出的建议强调培训、健全的政策、支持性环境、恢复性司法以及平衡的媒体报道。
结论
迫切需要进行系统性变革以解决牙科领域的不当性行为问题。英国有限的研究表明，需要优先考虑定性见解和干预措施的有效性，以创建更安全、公平的牙科工作场所。
